28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Romans 8:28-30

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Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Re-purpose.

We feel so good when we set our eco-green recycle bins by the curb. Cubicles full of soda cans, mayonnaise jars, and plastic milk cartons are sent on their way to an useful afterlife. Our carbon footprint is reduced from size 15 EEE to a petite little 5.

My grandparents were so pro with re-purpose/recycle movement. Like many immigrants, they were not familiar with the concept of trash. Why? Because they didn’t throw anything away.

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Plastic packaging did not exist.

Food was homemade—no jars, no boxes.

Sacks were turned into dresses.

Boxes were used to make furniture.

Table scraps were fed to the dogs or the pigs.

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People who survived the Great Depression, plus two world wars knew how to be resourceful. They re-purposed everything.

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Cleaning out the house.

When my beloved grandparents passed away, we cleaned out their basement and root cellar (Google it). We found barrels full of twist-ties, pencil stubs, steel wool, marbles, tools, nuts, bolts, books of matches, half-used notebooks and rags. My grandparents reused and recycled everything. Nothing went to waste. If it couldn’t be re-used, it could be re-purposed.

Re-purpose: to change (something) so that it can be used for a different purpose

The story of my life written by God.

My purpose before B.C. (Christ Christ) was to please myself. This resulted in sin, sorrow and brokenness. Then He called into my darkness and showed me how to use my gifts and skills for their real purpose—His glory. God re-purposed my life, He changed something (me) so it could be used for a different purpose.

He re-purposes for His purpose.

God can re-purpose anything and anybody at anytime. That’s how strong He is. He promises to use everything for the good of those who love Him and are called according to Hispurpose. Good, bad, ugly, beautiful, hurtful and sinful things. All things. Don’t ask me how, but I know He does. We turn and trust. We follow and obey. And He recycles, reuses, re-purposes everything for our good and His glory.

Adult bookstore to Christian bookstore,

Crack house to coffee house,

Tavern to church.

Beauty for ashes.

Grace for guilt.

Righteousness for wickedness.

All things are re-purposed for good.

Action Steps:

Give it to Him. Are you holding something back from God, some trash from the past? Open your hand and give it to him.

Ask Him to re-purpose it. Ask God to use that thing, no matter how terrible, for good. Quit letting Satan have a foothold in your life. Make his defeat complete. Ask Jesus to re-purpose your past mistakes for future good.

Give Him thanks. Thank God for how He will use that issue for your good and His glory. You can tell the Enemy all about it too.